Motor development and physical fitness after preterm birth in children at school age.

Máxima MC has a neonatal intensive care unit where premature babies are
treated. In accordance with the guideline of the National Neonatal Follow-up
working group, children born prematurely <30 weeks or <1000 g at the age of
0.5, 1, 2, 5.5 and 8 years are seen at the follow-up outpatient clinic. This
outpatient check-up is multidisciplinary, whereby each child is seen by a
paediatrician, neonatologist, psychologist and paediatric physiotherapist. In
this context, a questionnaire is completed by the parents (CBCL behavioural
questionnaire) and the children are tested with psychometric measuring
instruments (Bayley at two years, WPPSI or WISC at 5.5 and 8 years) and motor
measuring instruments (Bayley at two years or movement ABC at 5.5 and 8 years).
All this research is part of regular care. Although follow-up research often
focuses on the child's cognitive abilities, in this study we want to look at
the physical skills and fitness of the child. Previous Máxima MC research has
shown that approximately a quarter of preterm children score moderately on
certain motor skills (such as balance) at the age of 5.5 and 8 years. What we
don't know is the extent to which this affects their physical fitness and
whether it affects their (extra)curricular activities.

To explore motor development, the level of physical activity and participation
in daily (school) life in preterm born children at the age of 10-12, who were
seen earlier at the follow-up outpatient clinic in Maxima MC at the age of 5.5
and 8.

1. Retrospective data of the motor function (movement-ABC, CBCL behavioural
checklist) tested at 5.5 and 8 years of age (standard follow-up)
2. Prospective data, obtained at the age of 10-10 years. The children will be
tested (duration 1h) twice at an interval of two weeks. The testing location is
at home or in a local practice of physiotherapy in the direct neighbourhood of
the children and performed by paediatric physiotherapist in training, under
supervision of AVANS+ Breda. Between the two visits the children wear an
activity tracker. At the first day motor performance, aerobe and anaerobe
capacity will be tested. At the second day strength and mobility will be
tested.

Testing takes place in a play form (short sprint, squeeze force measurement or
pedometer). The exercise fitness is measured with valid non-invasive measures
of validated questionnaires (behaviour questionnaire, quality of life) that do
not infringe the integrity of the child or parent. They are familiar with the
testing and questionnaires because of previous standard care after preterm
birth.